ASME stands for American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It is also known as ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) is a standard developed by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) that governs the design and construction of boilers and pressure vessels. Volunteers are chosen for their technical expertise write and updating the paper. ASME certification is the most visible means to communicate to customers, suppliers, industry, and regulators that your organization is dedicated to public safety and quality. The ASME BPVC is accepted by over 100 countries to meet government safety criteria.
Due to many steam boiler pressure vessel failures in the US, the organization was established in 1880.
The body that still establishes standards for the pressure tank industry and ASME code is ASME.
ASME Code Standard Requirements
Any tank having an internal pressure of greater than 15 PSI must be made and designed in conformity with the ASME Code in the majority of U.S. states.
Why is ASME maintenance important?
To inspect for corrosion, wear, and damage to the various parts of the vessel, ASME tank maintenance is crucial. These inspections safeguard employees’ safety and stop untimely wear.
You should routinely inspect your ASME tanks and vessels to look for wear or damage, such as corrosion of the tank’s heads, shell, and welds.
These checks are designed to reduce premature failure and maintain worker safety.
On an annual basis, a trained and certified specialist should inspect your tank and take the required action if any failure happens.
The National Board Inspection Code criteria must be followed when repairing a tank if it is determined that it has to be fixed.
Safety
Following two devastating boiler explosions at manufacturers in Massachusetts in the early 1900s, ASME’s Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code was formed. Since then, the BPVC has issued guidelines aimed at reducing accidents by making steam boilers and other mechanical engineering equipment safer.
Quality
ASME stamped quality ASME industrial heaters and boiler systems have been thoroughly inspected and meet the quality and safety criteria specified by the Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code. By acquiring a BPVC-compliant system, you can be confident that you are investing in a high-quality piece of equipment for your business or facility.
What are performance test codes?
The ASME Performance Test Codes (PTC) define the rules and processes for planning, preparing, carrying out, and reporting performance testing. A performance test is an engineering examination that determines how well the equipment performs its functions.
PTC committees have begun focusing on emerging technologies sooner in recent years (i.e., prior to full commercialization).
Some of these areas include:
- Fuel Cell Power Systems
- Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle
- Combustion Turbine Inlet Air Conditioning Equipment
- Concentrating Solar Power Plants
- Overall Plant Performance with Carbon Capture
ASME Codes and Descriptions
| ASME Codes | Description |
|---|---|
| ASME BPVC Section I | Rules for Construction of Power Boilers |
| ASME BPVC Section II | Part C: Specifications for Welding Rods, Electrodes, and Filler Metals |
| ASME BPVC Section III | Rules for Constructions of Nuclear Facility Components-Subsection NCA-General Requirements for Division 1 and Division 2 |
| ASME BPVC Section IV | Rules for Construction of Heating Boilers |
| ASME BPVC Section V | Non-destructive Examination |
| ASME BPVC Section VIII | Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels Division 1 and Division 2 |
| ASME BPVC Section IX | Welding and Brazing Qualifications |
| ASME B16.25 | Buttwelding ends |
| ASME B31.1 | Power Piping |
| ASME B31.3 | Process Piping |
| ASME B31.9 | Building Services Piping |
What is the need for ASME codes and standards?
The introduction of machines that impacted daily life throughout the Industrial Revolution dramatically altered the way humans lived. Farm implements could now be manufactured rather than handcrafted. Textiles, dishware, and reading material have all become more affordable, transforming domestic life. A coal-burning stove and boiler may heat the home’s water.
Transportation began to travel at previously unimaginable rates, considerably beyond the speed of a horse. Handmade products were gradually replaced by manufactured items; human strength and horsepower were gradually supplanted by machinery powered by steam power - steam engines, boilers.